OPERATIONS IN TEX., N.MEX.,AND ARIZ. [CHAP.XI.

GALVESTON, TEX.,November 17,1861.

Major SAMUEL BOYER DAVIS, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General:

In obedience to an order from the commanding general, I proceeded to make an examination of the Rollover, and the practicability of the launches being transported across it, and the necessity of defending that point, and the best means of effecting this.

With the chartered steamer John F.Carr, drawing 2 1/2 feet of water [about that of a frigate's launch], at a condition of the tide above the medium mark, I examined the water of East Bay, from Bolivar Point to the nearest approachable shore of the Rollover in that direction, which I found to be about 2 miles. The Carr there grounded in 2 1/2 feet of water, bottom soft mud. From my own observation and the best information I could obtain from persons well acquainted with that locality, I learn that nothing drawing over 2 1/2 feet of water can approach the Rollover at East Bay sufficiently near to command it.

There are but two passes from the Rollover by water into Galveston Bay; one at Hanna's Reef, and one near Smith's Point. These have 2 1/2 well acquainted with the locality, such as oystermen, &c., can find their way through. The Carr grounded three times, with the best pilot I could obtain. The persons reported to be best acquainted with these passes are residents of Bolivar, viz: Captain Atkinson and sons, Englishmen, both being residents of Texas; Mr.John Hampshire and sons, Americans and Texans. The pilots who are best acquainted with these passes are James Reese and John Webster, who reside at Galveston. One of the passes alluded to can be defended by musketry at Smith's Point. The other pass, at Hanna's Reef, can be approached from Galveston Bay by a steamer drawing 5 feet of water. The extensive shoal adjacent to the Rollover at East Bay and the intricate navigation from thence to Galveston Bay render the passage of ships' launches, or any boats not especially constructed for shoal waters, a very difficult matter.

I learn from persons said to be best acquainted with the waters adjacent to and seaward of the Rollover that there is deepest water off the Rollover nearest to the shore of any part of the coast from the Sabine to Galveston. A vessel drawing 11 feet of water can anchor within 300 or 400 yards, and ships' launches, at mean tide, in a smooth sea, can come within 75 yards of the beach. There is a sand reef, extending from Bolivar Point along the coast beyond the Rollover, distant about 1 mile from the shore, on which there is at mean tide from 6 to 7 feet of water, inside of which, by Bolivar Point there is a channel of 8 or 9 feet of water. The distance from Bolivar Point to the Rollover is about 18 miles. From Bolivar Point to the passage at Hanna's Reef is about 7 miles. The highest point of land above the sea at the Rollover is said to be about 10 to 12 feet. The land is highest near the sea, and declines gradually towards East Bay for about 200 or 300 yards; then a sudden fall and gradual slope to East Bay. The distance from the beach to East Bay is said to be about 650 yards. Water for ordinary use can be procured by a slight excavation; but good water cannot be procured nearer than 8 or 10 miles.

I am, very respectfully,

WM. W.HUNTER, Commander, C.S.Navy.